# Compression Therapy Challenges and Ulcer Recurrence in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Case Report and Review of Management Approaches

**Authors:** Rahul Ramakrishnan, Ahmik Shenoy, Ghaith Al-Eyd, Stephen Ely, Daniel Leon

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99902 · 2025-12-23

## TL;DR

This case report highlights how consistent compression therapy and structured support can help manage recurring leg ulcers in elderly patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

## Contribution

The paper presents a real-world case emphasizing the role of adherence and multifaceted strategies in treating recurrent venous leg ulcers.

## Key findings

- Compression therapy improved a stage 4 ulcer to stage 3 within 12 days.
- Non-adherence led to ulcer recurrence within two months.
- A structured program with reminders and weekly follow-ups improved the ulcer to stage 1 in 22 days.

## Abstract

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a major cause of recurrent venous leg ulcers (VLUs) and presents treatment difficulties for elderly patients. This case report describes an 88-year-old female with CVI, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and left-sided hemiplegia who presented with a 10-day history of left lower leg tenderness and purple-red discoloration. Examination revealed bilateral varicosities and a stage 4 VLU over the medial malleolus with purulent drainage and surrounding erythema. After 12 days of compression therapy, the ulcer improved to stage 3. However, two months of non-adherence to the treatment led to recurrence with a new stage 2 ulcer. The patient was subsequently initiated into a structured program with demonstrations, written instructions, scheduled reminders, and weekly follow-ups. After 22 days of consistent compression therapy, the ulcer improved to stage 1. This case emphasizes the importance of consistent compression therapy and multifaceted approaches in managing recurrent VLUs.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** chronic venous insufficiency (MONDO:0000492), cardiomyopathy (MONDO:0004994), dyslipidemia (MONDO:0002525)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** dyslipidemia (MESH:D050171), CVI (MESH:D014689), cardiomyopathy (MESH:D009202), hemiplegia (MESH:D006429), VLUs (MESH:D014647), Ulcer Recurrence (MESH:D014456), erythema (MESH:D004890), tenderness (MESH:D063806), hypertension (MESH:D006973)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12824817/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12824817